Electric insulator for high-pressure stills



June 15 1926.

W. C. PARRISH ELECTRIC INSULATOR FOR HIGH PRESSURE STILLS Filed Dec. 15, 1921 Eatented June 15, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM C. PARRISH, OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR TO THE TEXAS COM- PANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF TEXAS.

ELECTRIC INSULATOR FOR HIGH-PRESSURE STILLS.

Application filed December 15, 1921.

This invention relates to electric insulators, and more particularly to such insulators for use on high pressure stills employed in the distillation of petroleum products and the like.

Broadly stated it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved form of electric insulator whereby a conductor of electricity may be carried into the interior of a still for conducting electricity to actuate an electric apparatus therein without permitting the escape of any of the vapors or gases confined within the still.

According to one feature of the invention there is provided a chamber contiguous to the electric conductor filled with a plastic compound insoluble in oil whereby the inserted insulating member is maintained impervious to oil throughout its life, and whereby the packing material may be protected from the heat within the still.

Another feature relates to the provision of spaces opened to the atmosphere adjacent to the electric conductor, whereby the temperature rise of the conductor may be maintained at a minimum by the radiation of heat.

Other objects will appear from the following description of the invention taken 1n connection with the drawing, in which is shown a vertical section taken on the axis of the insulator.

Referring to the drawing there is shown a preferred embodiment of the insulating structure of my invention applied to a high pressure still 10. The head of the still 10 is provided with an annular flange 11 to which is bolted a metal base plate 12 having an integral cylindrical chamber 13 extending upwardly therefrom. An electric conductor 14 to be insulated is passed through the chamber 13 and the head of the still 10, and is held in a fixed position by a circular insulating washer 15 preferably formed of a partly compressible but substantially rigid insulating material such as lava rock or the like and set into a groove in the base 12. An upper portion of the chamber 13 is provided with a shoulder 16 extending upwardly from which is an annular flange 17. In the pocket formed by the flange 17 is provided a second insulating Washer 18 preferably formed of a partly compressible but substantially rigid insulating material such as lava rock or the like. The washer 18 rests upon a suitable Serial No. 522,466.

gasket 19 preferably formed of copper or the like set upon the internal ledge formed by the shoulder 16.

For sealing the conductor 14 and the washer 18 there is provided a stuffing box 20 preferably filled with slender copper strands and dry graphite or its equivalent. This material is set within a recess formed in the upper face of the washer 18 and is compressed by a portion of the conductor having an increased diameter relative to the portlon extending through the chamber 13. A clamping member 21 is provided loosely mounted upon a plurality of threaded rods 22, 22, the pressure being applied by stop nuts 23 and being transmitted through an annular gasket 24 preferably formed of asbestos or the like and placed between the lower face of the clamping member 21 and the upper surface of the washer 18. The rods 22 are attached to the shoulder 16 and extend upwardly therefrom outwardly of the flange 17 as clearly shown in the drawing. A centrally disposed orifice in the clamping member 21 is tapered downwardl and within the lower portion of the ori ce there is provided a third insulating washer 25 preferably formed of a partly compressible but substantially rigid insulating material such as lava rock or the like for insulating the surface of the conductor 14 from the lip formed by the smaller interior diameter of the compression ring 21. Above the portion of the conductor 14 which extends through the orifice of the clamping member 21 the diameter of the conductor is gradually increased, thus forming a. shoulder 26, the upper face of which is substantially flat as shown in the drawing. An annular gasket 27 preferably formed of asbestos or the like is provided for this substantially fiat surface and upon this gasket there is supported a fourth washer 28 preferably formed of a partly compressible but substantially rigid inksulating material such as lava rock or the For compressing the washer 28 and the gasket 27 there is provided a second clamping member 31 having an inverted recess 32 engaging the washer 28. Around the periphery of the upper face of the washer 28 there is provided an annular gasket 33 preferably of asbestos or the like. The upper face of the member 31 is provided with 'a substantially centrally disposed tapering oriflee, the diameter of which is greatest at the uppersurface of the member 31. Within this orifice and surrounding the conductor 14 there is provided a fifth insulating washer 34 preferably formed of a partly compressible but substantially rigid insulating material such as lava rock or the like for insulating the surface of the conductor 14 from the li formed by the smaller interior diameter 0 the compression ring 31. Pressure may be applied to the clamping member 31 by suitable nuts such as 35 securely threaded to the rods 22.

Within a space 40 formed by the cylindrical chamber 13, and the washers 15, 18 and around the conductor 14, there is provided a suitable'quantity of a mixture of sand and plastic compound insoluble in oil and impervious to oil vapors for eliminating any possibility of condensation within the chamber and for protecting the gasket 19 from vapor corrosion and for keeping the packing relatively cool. I have found suitable for the purpose, a compound of the character disclosed in the application of Delphine D. Green, Serial No. 462,396, filed April 18th, 1921 for composition of matter.

The conductor 14 is inserted into the still and the various elements of the insulator are assembled in the manner described. Pressure is then applied in a downward direction to the clamping member 21 by means of the nuts 23', cars being taken to apply this pressure gradually at'all parts of the periphery that is to say, by securing the nuts 23 of the several rods 22 adjoining at relatively short distances so that no undesirable strains are produced in the structure. The pressure compresses the gaskets 19 and 24 and also slightly distorts the insulating washer 18 so that a tight closure is efiected.

Additlonal pressure is now applied by securing the nuts 35 downwardly in a manner similar to that just described and thus pressure is applied to the packing material in the stuffing box 20 causing it to become compressed and to effectually seal the insulator.

The heat imparted to the conductor 14 is readily dissipated through the air space formed by the tapering orifice at the clamping member 21.

Thus it will be seen that I have provided an electric insulating structure and means for compressing part of the structure to seal the still, thus preventing undesired escape of volatile material within the still.

Apparatus of preferred form and constructlon has been illustrated and described for the purpose of showing a way in which this invention may be practiced, but the inventive thought upon which this application is based is broader than this illustrative embodiment. It is therefore understood that the scope of the invention "is not to be limited by the present disclosure, reference beesaeoa ing had to the appended claims for that purpose.

What is claimed is:

1. In an insulating structure for distilling apparatus, an electric conductor extending into the still, means for insulating the conductor from the still and for sealing the passage way of the conductor comprising a chambered member surrounding a portion of the conductor, a mass of plastic material insoluble in oil positioned within said chambered member, apair of insulators disposed respectively at the top and the bottom of the chambered member for sealing said chamber, and means for compressing one of said insulators.

2. In an insulating structure for distilling apparatus, an electric conductor extending into the still, means for sealing the passage way of the conductor comprising an insulator having an orifice cooperating with a shoulder of said conductor, packing material positioned within said orifice and in contact with the shoulder, and means for compressing said packing material against the conductor and the interior wall of the orifice.

3. In an insulating structure for distilling apparatus, an electric conductor extending into the still, means for sealing the passage way of the conductor comprising an insulator having an orifice cooperating with a shoulder of said conductor, ackin mate- ,rial positioned within said ori ce and in contact with the shoulder, and means for compressing said packing material, including a second insulator in contact with the conductor, and a clamping member cooperating with said insulator for applying pressure to the insulator and the conductor.

4. In an insulating structure for distilling apparatus, an electric conductor extending into the still, means for sealing the passageway of the conductor comprising a chambered member surrounding a portion of the conductor outside the still, a plurality of spaced annular insulating members surrounding the conductor, one of said insulating members being adapted to seal the upper end of the chambered member, a plurality of supporting members disposed vertically around the upper periphery of the chambered member, a plurality of clamping members mounted for vertical movement on the supporting members, each of said clamping members being adapted to exert pressure on one of the insulating members and a plurality of adjustable members disposed on the supporting members for controlling the position of the clamping members.

5. In an insulating structure for stills, an electric conductor extending into the still, means for sealing the passageway of the conductor comprising a chambered member secured over the outlet of the still and surrounding a portion of the conductor, means in the lower portion of the chambered member for insulating said conductor therefrom and for sealing the outlet of the still, and an insulating member disposed around the conductor in the upper end of the chambered member, and means for effecting a gas-tight seal between the inner wall of the chambered member and the insulating member and between the conductor and the insulating mem- 6. The combination with a still having an electrical conductor extending through an opening in the top thereof, of means for insulating the conductor from the still and for 

